He aims his eyeballs at the heavens. “They’re not actually coming from a place of morality; they just know that their own team can’t defeat me, so they’re trying to get me kicked off the league to improve their chances of winning.”

“Their motivations don’t matter if they’re right.”

He huffs dismissively. “Another reason it would be useful is that there are a few of my past partners who… don’t seem to understand that what we shared was a one-time thing….”

This boy is truly unbelievable. He wants to use me to keep his clingy conquests off his back and make him appear less reprehensible than he is.

“It sounds like you’ll be getting a lot more out of this than me,” I say.

“You want my help to get to the mainland, and this is the best way to make it happen. Are you in or out?”

“Would you even be able to keep it in your pants for that long?” I can’t believe I’m actually considering this.

“Honestly”—he thinks for a moment—“I don’t know.”

“Well, you’d better. I’m not interested in being the pathetic girl that everyone knows is being cheated on behind her back.”

“Understood. I’ll be respectful of your reputation. But we don’t tell anyone about this.”

“Nu-uh. I have to tell Georgie.” I don’t want to lie to my friend any more than I already have. I need her now more than ever.

“Unacceptable. If anyone knows, we won’t be able to control who else finds out. I can’t get us off this island with gossipmongers breathing down our backs. And I need to get off this island.”

“I trust Georgie.”

“I don’t, and for better or worse, we’re in this together.”

“Okay,” I concede. I mean, I totally still plan to tell her. I just won’t let Rafe find out. “But you need to act civil toward her. And make your friends be nicer too. I can’t be pretending to date someone who acts like my best friend doesn’t exist.”

“Fine,” he agrees through gritted teeth.

“And no more death threats.”

“Also fine.”

“And I have one more stipulation.” This might be pushing my luck, but I know that this plan might mean the end of my time at Genesis, so I have to risk it before I lose my access. “I need you to help me cure my grandfather’s cancer.”

Rafe’s expression hardens. “I’m sorry to hear that your grandfather is ill, but that’s not possible.”

“Why not? You’re in Bioscience and have access to their Testament, and you know how to use your Sire abilities for healing. You must be able to do something.”